Hold Your Horses

With all the conversations about "short-term rentals" going on around Cascade, it is unlikely anyone has considered the ideal vacation rental for horses. Yes, this is a reality. Yes, it is right here in Cascade, Montana.

Perched like a crown jewel, up high over the town, The Paard Yard Horse Resort is a gem for the horse community to discover. Owner and Cascade resident, Kelly Speidel is the horse loving owner of this unique facility. The Paard Yard is not a typographical error,but a very relevant term to the heart of Kelly's business. What is the meaning of the word "Paard"? Paard is the word for "horse" in Flemish - an ode to Kelly's heritage and the time she spent living in Belgium.

The origin of the business resulted from Kelly finally being able to settle down after a long,but very muchloved time spent with her husband's military career. They chose Cascade, Montana to become home and so Kelly could enjoy the horse life she had greatly missed. With her horse, Bullet, Kelly discovered there are limited options in this area to accommodate boarders, with responsible people to care for a horse if you're away or even just a place to rest as you travel around the state or across country. Kelly decided to fill that need and earned a Diploma in Equine Science from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada to accompany a bachelor's degree in biology, which she had earned years earlier at University of Providence in Great Falls, MT.

Kelly shared:" It is my honor to have you and your horse stay with us - one night or for many! We welcome overnight travelers and those needing vacation sitting - giving you peace of mind that your equine friend will be in caring, knowledgeable hands, good company, and excellent facilities."

The Paard Yard has a newly constructed Englishstyle arena complete with jump course. The arena is outdoors and privy to some spectacular views! The arena is open to non-boarders for a nominal daily fee for horses brought to the property for riding. Monthly access memberships to the arena are available as well. If you need a location for your next equine event, please feel free to call and ask about reserving the arena. No cattle are allowed for arena events.

Trails are being constructed on the 20-acre property to practice working equitation, cross-country or just have a nice walk-out with your horse. North side trail is finished with obstacles such as a large bridge, slalom poles, mailbox, jump, turnaround box and lots of hills and ravines. North trail is always open (except on redflag warning days).

Another facet of The Paard Yard is the offering of daily, weekly and monthly camper and trailer camping. Hook-ups are available for water and electricity. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Feel free to wander outside the property fencing for trail riding as well. All "close" neighbors have granted permission for you to ride.

Kelly with her smiling face and cheerful nature can be found working at Switchback Veterinary Clinic several days a week. Kelly continues to grow her animal knowledge and experience through her service at Switchback. For more information about The Paard Yard Horse Resort, horse riding lessons, horse training, facility rental and other amenities check out Kelly's website at: http://www.thepaardyard.com